Riverside High was No. 1 on the SAT among the 14 high schools in the Greenville County school district.

The average SAT score at Riverside was 1154, a whopping 110 points higher than the national average (1044) and 96 points higher than the state average (1058), according to the school district

Eastside High earned the second-place slot with an average SAT score of 1133. Other top achievers were J.L. Mann, Southside and Wade Hampton.

A total of 2,332 Greenville County Schools seniors from the Class of 2017 took the SAT, posting an average score of 1089, the Greenville school district said.

The scores represent the seniors who graduated from the 14 high schools in Greenville County Schools in spring, 2017.

The SAT is a crucial test of a student's ability to handle college-level work. SAT scores are a big factor in college admissions.

Likewise, many educators and economists argue that higher education is a vital key for surviving and thriving in an increasingly competitive global economy.

The Class of 2017 self-reported their college plans, with about 40 percent of the students planning to attend four-year college and 40 percent expecting to attend a technical school or an industry certification program, the district said.

Five Greenville County high schools averaged scores greater than 1100, while 11 of 14 scored at or above the national SAT average for public schools.

“Greenville County Schools has accepted the challenge of producing students who are college and career ready,” said Superintendent Burke Royster in a prepared statement.

Following are the Class of 2017 average SAT rankings for the 14 high schools in the Greenville County school district:

• Riverside High: 1154.

• Eastside High: 1133.

• J.L. Mann High: 1126.

• Southside High: 1107.

• Wade Hampton: 1105.

• Mauldin High: 1091.

• Greenville High: 1086.

• Blue Ridge High: 1061.

• Greer High: 1057.

• Woodmont High: 1055.

• Travelers Rest: 1049.

• Hillcrest High: 1033.

• Berea High: 950.

• Carolina High: 921.

The number of seniors who took the test range from 62 percent (Eastside High) and 61 percent (Riverside High) to 25 percent (Carolina High School & Academy). SAT scores tended to be lower at schools where fewer high school seniors took the test, though there were a few exceptions to that trend.

SAT scores for the Class of 2017 reflect a new baseline for the widely-recognized exam, due to significant changes to the test that include moving from a 2400-point scale to a 1600-point scale.

The new test features two sections: Math, and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing, with each being worth 800 points.

“The results reflect our exceptional teachers, challenging curriculum, strong principal leadership, outstanding board governance, and the dedication of our students and families," Royster said. "We could not be prouder of these students and the amazing work they did over the course of their K-12 careers to prepare for success at the college level.”

Paul Hyde covers education and everything else under the South Carolina sun. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter: @PaulHyde7.